Social Work Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Social work visa sponsorship exists but is limited. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) have the strongest case for H-1B visa sponsorship, especially in underserved areas where employers struggle to hire domestically. Hospitals, community health centers, and government agencies occasionally sponsor. You'll need a master's in social work (MSW) and relevant licensure. J-1 visa waivers for underserved areas can also create sponsorship opportunities. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsFull-time Faculty Positions
Full-time faculty positions will be posted on a per-opening basis. Postings are organized by college/school and department. Applicants will be evaluated at the college/school level for the position which they are submitting an application. Unless noted by a close date, positions will remain open until they are filled. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Below you will find the details for the posting including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening or submitting your interest in teaching. To apply for the position, please click the link/button.
Posting Details
Job ID: 186584
Rank: Instructor/Professional Lecturer
College/School: Chicago, IL - College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Position Description:
The Department of Social Work at DePaul University, in Chicago, Illinois, invites applications for a term line faculty position with an appointment beginning Fall 2026.
The Department of Social Work is recruiting one term faculty member with expertise in teaching Foundation Practice, and additional expertise in teaching field seminar with field liaison responsibilities, professional writing, fund development, and program evaluation.
We seek applicants who are committed to teaching excellence. DePaul is primarily a teaching institution. We want applicants who are committed to teaching excellence. A successful candidate is capable of teaching across the curriculum. The position has a teaching load of 9 courses over a three-term quarter system of 10 weeks each. All courses are taught in person in DePaul’s loop campus. Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department by attending departmental meetings and other events.
Qualifications
Candidates must possess at least an MSW or a Ph.D. in Social Work or a related field. DePaul seeks candidates with demonstrated experience with diverse teaching modalities. A candidate with a social work clinical license is a plus.
Application Instructions:
Applicants should electronically submit the following documents:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Personal Statement of Teaching
- Copies of student evaluations of teaching
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (3) that can speak to your teaching competency
Interviews will occur over Zoom for finalists.
General Compensation/Benefits Statement
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
DePaul University offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefit. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.
About DePaul University's Academic Calendar
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).
Salary Information:
The salary range for this 10-month position is $54,100 - $60,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Full-time Faculty Positions
Full-time faculty positions will be posted on a per-opening basis. Postings are organized by college/school and department. Applicants will be evaluated at the college/school level for the position which they are submitting an application. Unless noted by a close date, positions will remain open until they are filled. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Below you will find the details for the posting including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening or submitting your interest in teaching. To apply for the position, please click the link/button.
Posting Details
Job ID: 186584
Rank: Instructor/Professional Lecturer
College/School: Chicago, IL - College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Position Description:
The Department of Social Work at DePaul University, in Chicago, Illinois, invites applications for a term line faculty position with an appointment beginning Fall 2026.
The Department of Social Work is recruiting one term faculty member with expertise in teaching Foundation Practice, and additional expertise in teaching field seminar with field liaison responsibilities, professional writing, fund development, and program evaluation.
We seek applicants who are committed to teaching excellence. DePaul is primarily a teaching institution. We want applicants who are committed to teaching excellence. A successful candidate is capable of teaching across the curriculum. The position has a teaching load of 9 courses over a three-term quarter system of 10 weeks each. All courses are taught in person in DePaul’s loop campus. Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department by attending departmental meetings and other events.
Qualifications
Candidates must possess at least an MSW or a Ph.D. in Social Work or a related field. DePaul seeks candidates with demonstrated experience with diverse teaching modalities. A candidate with a social work clinical license is a plus.
Application Instructions:
Applicants should electronically submit the following documents:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Personal Statement of Teaching
- Copies of student evaluations of teaching
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (3) that can speak to your teaching competency
Interviews will occur over Zoom for finalists.
General Compensation/Benefits Statement
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
DePaul University offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefit. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.
About DePaul University's Academic Calendar
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).
Salary Information:
The salary range for this 10-month position is $54,100 - $60,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Social Work Jobs
Pursue licensure as early as possible to maximize your competitiveness
Obtaining your Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential demonstrates that you meet U.S. professional standards and significantly strengthens your H-1B petition. Begin the ASWB examination process and state licensing application during your MSW program or OPT period so you are fully credentialed when seeking sponsorship.
Target healthcare systems and hospitals with social work departments
Large hospital systems like Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, and academic medical centers employ clinical social workers for discharge planning, behavioral health, and patient advocacy. Healthcare employers frequently sponsor because clinical social work requires an MSW and licensure, making the specialty occupation argument straightforward.
Consider school social work positions in underserved districts
School districts facing social worker shortages, particularly in rural and low-income areas, may sponsor H-1B visas and some qualify for cap exemptions if affiliated with nonprofit educational institutions. School social work typically requires state-specific school social work certification in addition to your LMSW or LCSW.
Look into community mental health centers in shortage areas
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community mental health centers in Health Professional Shortage Areas actively recruit social workers and often have experience with visa sponsorship. These nonprofit organizations may also be H-1B cap-exempt, allowing filing at any time without lottery constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employers sponsor visas for social workers in the U.S.?
Yes, social work is a strong candidate for H-1B visa sponsorship because it is a licensed profession that requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) and often a master's degree (MSW) for clinical roles. Hospitals, community mental health centers, school districts, and government agencies all sponsor social workers, particularly in areas facing workforce shortages. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are especially in demand.
What licenses do international social workers need to practice in the U.S.?
Licensing requirements vary by state, but most states require at least a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program for clinical practice. You will typically need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination at the appropriate level - bachelor's, master's, or clinical. Some states accept international social work degrees if they are evaluated as equivalent by a credential evaluation agency like WES or ECE.
Are social work roles in shortage areas easier to sponsor?
Yes, many rural areas and underserved communities across the U.S. face significant social worker shortages, which can make employers in these regions more willing to sponsor and more successful in their petitions. Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) designated by HRSA often have employers actively recruiting internationally. Working in a shortage area may also provide advantages for certain green card pathways.
Can I use OPT to work as a social worker after graduating from a U.S. MSW program?
Yes, MSW graduates can use 12 months of post-completion OPT to work in social work roles while pursuing licensure and building experience. Social work is not a STEM-designated field, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available. This makes it critical to identify employers willing to sponsor an H-1B petition early in your OPT period.
How to find Social Work jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Social Work jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on healthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and community service providers that commonly sponsor H-1B, EB-3, or other work visas for licensed social workers, particularly those with specialized skills in clinical practice, child welfare, or mental health services.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Social Work jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a social work in New York will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.